“Norwood veterans agent: National POW/MIA Recognition Day is Sept. 17” |
| Norwood veterans agent: National POW/MIA Recognition Day is Sept. 17 Posted: 15 Sep 2010 03:05 PM PDT Throughout our nation's history, the men and women of America's armed forces have preserved our freedom, protected our security, and upheld our democratic values. From the battles of the American Revolution through the crucible of two world wars, to the challenging peacekeeping and humanitarian missions of today's post-Cold War era, and particularly our current global war on terror, our men and women in uniform have stood proudly in defense of the United States and in the cause of liberty. In the two centuries since our nation's birth, more than a million have paid the price of that liberty with their lives. Joining the ranks of these heroes are the thousands who have been held as prisoners of war or whose fate has never been resolved. Many have been lost in the chaos of battle, the grief of their loss made more acute for their families and their fellow Americans because of the inability to determine whether they perished or survived. Captive Americans, cruelly stripped of their freedom, treated with contempt and brutality, or used as pawns by their captors in a larger political struggle, have fought long, lonely battles against despair, physical and psychological torture, and the ultimate fear of being forgotten. But Americans will never forget those who have borne the indignities and sufferings of captivity in service to our country, those missing in action, or those who died as prisoners of war, far from home and family. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we reaffirm our commitment to those still missing and renew our pledge to make every effort to obtain the answers to their fate. We can do no less for these American heroes and for their families, who have endured such profound loss and whose suffering continues as long as their loved ones' fate remains unknown. Here in Norwood, we have ample reason to pause and reflect on this day. A Norwood native from a prominent family, Seaman James J. Sansone, U.S. Navy, has been listed as Missing in Action in Vietnam, since 1972, and has many family members here in town. Another Vietnam MIA, Pvt. 1st Class Edward F. Rogers, U.S. Marine Corps, has been Missing in Action since 1968, and his sister lives on Dean Street with her family. These two men are listed next to each other on the Massachusetts POW/MIA Honor Roll. In October of 1990, two helicopters from the USS OKINAWA embarked for an at-sea training operation off the coast of Oman. The two collided, and all hands were lost. The eight U.S. Marines aboard the two helicopters are the first military personnel to become missing in Operation Desert Shield. Among the Missing in Action since 1990, is Norwood native Sgt. John R. Kilkus, of 481 Walpole St., who has family in the area, and they still live at the Walpole Street residence. The flag of the National League of Families of American Prisoners of War and Missing in Southeast Asia will be flown over the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service System Headquarters, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and national cemeteries across our country. This black and white banner, symbolizing America's missing, is a stark and powerful reminder to people around the world that our nation will keep faith with those who have served and sacrificed; that we will not rest until we receive the fullest possible accounting of every American missing in service to our country. Sept. 17 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I ask all to join me in honoring former American prisoners of war and those whose fate is still undetermined. I also encourage you to remember with special sympathy and concern the courageous families who maintain their steadfast vigil and who persevere in their search for answers and for the peace that comes only with certainty. The POW/MIA Awareness Committee of Massachusetts will conduct a ceremony at noon on that day at Boston City Hall Plaza. All branches of the military will be participating in the ceremony, and at the conclusion there will be a 12-hour vigil with the names of the 1,748 MIAs being read. Please join us for this solemn, poignant and important event. We must let every nation know that we will never forget. A powerful resource for additional information regarding this important issue may be found at the Department of Defense website http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/. For further information, questions or assistance with any veterans' benefits or services, please call the Town of Norwood Department of Veterans' Services, 781-762-1240 extension 208 or 209, or visit us on the at www.ci.norwood.ma.us/veterans/ . . This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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